Stringed instrument attaching and supporting means



J. FELDMAN Feb. 2, 1937.

STRINGED INSTRUMENT ATTACHING AND SUPPORTING MEANS Original Filed NOV. 16, 1933 %INVZNTOR.

Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRINGED INSTRUMENT ATTACHING AND SUPPORTING MEANS Renewed 1 Claim.

This invention has reference generally to improvements in that class of inventions known as music, and more particularly relates to means for attaching and supporting a stringed instrument.

It is the primary aim and object of the present invention to provide novel means for attaching a stringed instrument such as a relatively light and small ukulele on the lower part of the limb of a person, the arrangement being particularly adapted for use in vaudeville and other performances, and provides a novelty for use in a combination dancing and musical number.

As an additional and equally important object the invention embraces the provision of an arrangement of the above character wherein the means for attaching and supporting the stringed instrument is such that the latter will be rigidly yet removably fastened in such a position on the limb that it may be readily played by the party wearing the same or by any partner in the act, and the party wearing the same may perform dance steps etc. without inconvenience.

More particularly the invention embraces the provision of a device of the above character wherein the attaching and supporting means is constructed so as to be fastened to the instrument in such manner that it will not interfere with the tone of the instrument.

Other objects, as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention, will be readily apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying 35 drawing and pointed out in the claim forming a part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the 40 instrument attached to the limbs of persons engaged in a combination musical and dancing number, the view indicating one manner by which one member of the act may play the instrument on the limb of one of the other members;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the instrument detached showing the form of attaching and supporting means;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the body of the same instrument showing the latter attached;

Figure 4 is a similar view through the neck of the instrument, and

Figures 5 and 6 are a cross sectional detail of other forms of attaching means.

Referring now more particularly to the ac- July 9, 1936 companying drawing, there is provided a stringed instrument preferably a relatively light and small ukulele generally designated I, comprising a body 2 having a neck 3 extending therefrom and terminating in a head 4. The head is provided with a pair of slots 5 through which the strings 6 pass when being engaged about the adjusting pegs 'l therefor. At this point, it should be noted that the combined length of the body and neck of the instrument should be such as to readily fit between the ankle and knee of the performer.

With a view towards providing the attaching and supporting means for rigidly yet removably fastening the instrument I to the limb of a person, flexible elements are employed and in this connection care should be taken in fastening such elements to the instrument so as not to interfere with the tone of the instrument and the playing thereof. One form of the means consists in employment of flexible elements 8 in the form of strips of ribbon, tape, cord, Wire, or the like. In anchoring the same to the instrument l the sides of the body of the latter are preferably provided with small oppositely disposed apertures 9, the ends of the strips of ribbon 8 being knotted through the apertures from points within the body, the free portions of such strips being adapted to be passed around the lower part of the limb above the ankles after which the said free end portions are tied together. Another flexible strip I I is trained through the slots 5 in the head 4 so as to engage the portion l2 between the slots while the free portions are passed around the calf of the limb of the wearer prior to being tied together. This form of attaching and supporting means has been found to be effective both from the standpoint of the comfort of the wearer and the playing of the instrument in that it removably holds the instrument firmly in position on the limb so that the instrument may be played by the person to which it is attached or by a partner in the act, for instance as indicated in Figure 1. When not in use no inconvenience is suffered by the wearer and the latter, when the instrument is not being played, is perfectly able to perform dance steps and the like forming a part of a combination musical dancing number or act.

in Figure 5 there is illustrated a slightly modified form of attaching and supporting means in this instance in the form of flexible resilient clips Hi, the medial portions of which are anchored by suitable fasteners l4 direct to the instrument near the opposite ends thereof. In place of the clips flexible and elastic bands I5 may be anchored direct to the instrument as shown at H5 in Figure 6.

It is believed in View of the foregoing that a further detailed description of the operation is unnecessary. Likewise, it is believed that the advantages of the invention will be readily apparent.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A miniature stringed musical instrument having a body constructed with a total length adapted to fit below the knee and above the ankle, said instrument including a hollow sound box and a neck extending therefrom and having a transverse passage therethrough and musical strings of different musical key stretched across the sound box and the neck, said neck being equipped with means for varying the tension of the strings, strap looped through the upper end of the neck and adapted to be secured about the leg of a person below the leg knee, the body having sides formed with slots, and straps having end portions secured in said slots and other end portions connectible to each other around the body of the leg of a person, whereby the musical instrument will be supported on the wearers leg below the knee thereof and the strings of the instrument may be manually acted upon to produce musical sounds, the neck being provided with frets located below the first named straps.

JENNIE FELDMAN. 

